title: Prevention of fatal cage-layer osteoporosis.
abstract: Regular necropsy of samples of laying hen mortality at a large cage-layer ranch revealed significant loses due to osteoporosis. The feeding program consisted of feeding a pullet-growing diet until egg production commenced followed by a change to a laying diet. Literature review and experimental results have demonstrated a requirement for 2% dietary calcium for about 2 wk before first egg is anticipated followed by transfer to a higher calcium level during lay. A nutritional regimen of this design was tested on two paired sister flocks of hens. Necropsy of mortality during the tests showed a striking reduction in mortality due to osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Animal Science Department, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mayeda
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ernst
mesh_terms: D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002645:Chickens; D005260:Female; D006799:Housing, Animal; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary